All hands rise for a school seachange

The best school zones in Australia come at a price, with homes in desirable zones sometimes costing up to $20,000 extra. The result is affluent enclaves around the best schools as well as the emergence of a range of tactics by parents living out of zone to ensure their child is enrolled.

Some families even go as far as to pack up their homes and move to areas within particular school zones. It doesn’t have to be so complicated though, with property developers now recognising the need and creating brand new communities that have it all, including quality education.

In two of Melbourne’s newest areas, Rockbank North and Donnybrook, new communities are emerging with high quality education from day one. Importantly, in these areas it isn’t about bringing in a new school, but rather partnering with an established high achieving educational facility to expand its footprint.

At Woodlea in Rockbank North, Mirvac and Victoria Investment and Properties (VIP) have partnered with Bacchus Marsh Grammar to deliver an Early Learning Centre which opened in January 2017, as well as a campus for primary school enrolments from Prep to Grade Six planned to open in 2019.

With a strong understanding of the importance of quality education in providing the best opportunities for Victorian families, Mirvac has recently announced it will also deliver a new Hume Anglican Grammar School campus at its latest development, Olivine in Donnybrook.

With the school almost at capacity for enrolment, Hume Anglican Grammar Principal Bill Sweeney said the new campus will be an integral part of the community, where more members of the Hume and Whittlesea areas can access an outstanding educational experience.

“One of the hardest matters I must attend to as Principal is to inform parents they have been unsuccessful in finding a place for their child,” Mr Sweeney said.
“It gives me immense relief that now this conversation can turn to one of hope with the new campus planned to open in 2019.
“Young families are looking for quality education for their children and Hume Anglican Grammar at Olivine will provide this opportunity for 1200 students on the expansive eight-hectare site.
“This campus will also provide a focal point where Olivine’s residents can come together with other families, building a strong sense of belonging and community,” he said.
The brand new Hume Anglican Grammar campus at Olivine will offer innovative learning models for students from Prep to Secondary school.
Located next to Olivine’s new town centre in the heart of the masterplanned community, enrolments for Hume Anglican Grammar are anticipated for as early as 2019. Shortly after, a childcare, kindergarten and public primary school will be delivered for the next generation.
Mirvac’s General Manager of Residential Victoria, Elysa Anderson, said partnering with existing schools to increase their footprint was a new strategy to give more people access to great education, without the high cost of housing in established school zones.
“Olivine will be one of Melbourne’s most anticipated residential communities, promising exceptional amenity and community assets from day one,” Ms Anderson said.
“We recognise that families want access to high quality education, therefore we felt partnering with such an established and respected school in Hume Anglican Grammar meets their needs.
“Mirvac understands the importance of creating communities that provide access to quality education and are proud to be partnering with Hume Anglican Grammar to give more families the opportunity to attend this renowned local school,” she said.
Set on 187 hectares in Donnybrook, Olivine is planned to strengthen and exceed previous benchmarks set for education, community wellbeing, urban design, sustainability and housing diversity in greenfield communities.
To be developed over 10 to 15 years, Olivine will be home to approximately 7000 people across 2250 homes, with the first stage planned to be released in early 2017.